Out and About Manila Part 1: Binondo Church

Binondo Church
I was born in Manila but growing up and living in Cebu left me curious about my birthplace. There was so much of it that I haven't seen. I wanted to experience it and breathe history and culture sans the pollution. There was this craving that I had to feed otherwise my mind would explode with questions and what ifs left unanswered. Unlike others, I prefer old city charm and culture whenever I travel. Call me weird or old-fashioned but I'm an old soul lost in a digital jungle. So when my dear uncle (Hi Tito Bob!) asked me where I wanted to go, I screamed Chinatown and Intramuros without batting an eyelash! This was the first stop to our trip. Behold the Binondo Church.

Ongpin Street Sign
Binondo Church
"Ang simbahan ng Binondo: Dito itinatag ng mga paring Dominikano ang misyon para sa mga Intsik noong 1587 at naging parokya noong 1596. Nasira nang pumasok and mga Ingles noong 1762. Inilipat sa paring secular noong 1769 at ibinalik sa Dominikano noong 1822. Ibinalik sa mga paring sekular noong 1898. Ang simbahan at bagong kumbento ay inayos noong 1946-1971."

The Binondo Church: This was where the Dominican priests founded their mission for the Chinese during 1587 which later on became a parish by 1596. It was destroyed by British bombardment in 1762. It was given to the secular priests in 1769 and returned to the Domincans by 1822. By 1898, it was reverted back to the secular priests. The church and convent were renovated in 1946-1971.

Binondo Church
Binondo church was a beauty before my very eyes but what I didn't know at the time was that it had to undergo numerous renovations all throughout history for it to remain standing for this generation and those to come. The church was founded by the Dominican priests in 1596 to encourage the conversion of the early Chinese immigrants in Manila to the Christian Catholic faith. The original structure was destroyed in 1762 and a new granite church replaced it by 1852. It's prominent feature was the octagonal bell tower with a mirador or viewing window on top. The said structure was again damaged by an 1863 earthquake. Bombing during the height of World War II left the western facade and the octagonal  belfry as its sole remnants rendering the Binondo parishioners with a roofless church until it was rebuilt from 1946-1971.

The Binondo church is also popularly called by two other names: Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz (Parroquia Basílica de San Lorenzo Ruiz) and Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish (Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario). This is because Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint, trained in the said church before he was sent as a missionary to Japan where he was martyred together with his companions for refusing to renounce their faith. He was born to a Filipino mother and a Chinese father. Also, near the entrance of the church is a side chapel that contains one of the oldest colonial paintings in the country dubbed as the Nuestra Señora de Santisimo Rosario.

Binondo Church
Binondo Church
Binondo Church/div> Just like most Philippine churches, votive or prayer candles can be found in Binondo but instead of the traditional white, beeswax yellow or wine red, you can choose from five different colors each of which have their own symbolism. RedHealthBluePetitionGreenProsperityPinkThanksgivingWhitePeace.

Binondo Church
Since the tone of this post was too nerdy for everyone's sake, I'm leaving you with this photo of me closing my eyes as the rest of my family smile for a snap! Oops.

Binondo Church also known as Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish is located in Plaza L.Ruiz, Binondo, Manila. Click here for maps and directions.

More of Out and About Manila:
Part 2: Binondo aka Manila Chinatown
Part 3: Fort Santiago and Jose Rizal Museum

47 comments:

Zarrah Jane said...

Binondo is a great place.

You should try the siopao and mami there

XO



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Anne said...

It sure was Emjae! :)

Anne said...

It is because imagine snagging an unused nine west bag for 1000 pesos. I didn't get it though because I didn't bring that much and it wasn't my style... but still! It was pretty much a steal.

Anne said...

That's true. There are those who attended who weren't really into the shopping but more for the bloggers, the games and the experience itself.

Anne said...

You mean the fried siopao? Yes it was good but I didn't get to try the mami. Next time though.

Anne said...

Yes! Go go go Joy! :)

Charlie said...

I have always been a fan of old stones. I would much rather visit old churches and castles than to go shopping in a city I've never been to before, much to the disaproval of my friends and family.
Thank you for the history lesson and beautiful pictures !

xx, Charlie
http://charlieleschroniques.blogspot.com/

Kiat Cebu said...

Woah, wish I could join events like this one. And I see DG Manila in the photo :)

Vernon Joseph Go said...

It is always interesting for me to see documentations of Blogger events like this! Hopefully we'll have something similar or more here in Cebu

Sarah Rizaga said...

aww im so jelly na! Haven't been to manila pa huhu! Love the photos Anne <3

sarahrizaga.blogspot.com

Anne said...

You're welcome charlie and I'm glad I'm not alone! :)

Anne said...

Yes the one and only!

Anne said...

Thank you!

Anne said...

Yes that's true Vernon. The Queen City of the South deserves something like it! Maybe CBC can hold one? :)

Anne said...

Thank you Sarah! Dali ari na. ;)

Lou Castaneda said...

I'm so not into history and shizz but part of me always wanted to explore and know little facts about such place- ofcourse, picture taking is a must. Uli na Cebu ate :)


Lou | wandersoul.co.vu

Jazmine Llaguno said...

Pardon my ignorance but I don't know most of them except for Laureen Uy since I followed her blog on Bloglovin'. I hope Laureen visits us here in Cebu someday. I'll surely block off my schedule for her. Haha.

Ashley Uy said...

The church looks beautiful! And its design from the outside looks both foreboding as it is elegant. Hope I get to see it for myself soon. Thanks for sharing!

Monique | WritingMonique said...

Ow wow! This place looks so magical!

WritingMonique

racheldinh said...

Great photos, looks like you had a great time.


http://www.racheldinh.com

Katherine Annika Cutar said...

OMG I'M CRYING INSIDE. YOU'RE SOOO LUCKY ANNE! AND I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU!

Eleanor NewMedia said...

I.m so charmed too by Old Manila. Was there last May for an Old Manila-Arayat-Calamba-Lucban tour. I checked Divisoria and though the experience left me with the impression that flea markets in Cebu are so much better than Divi, I'm so charmed still by Binondo, Chinatown, and even the "home along the riles"...i even checked where Dangwa is, where Recto is, where Lagusnilad is. Well it was a quickie. But it served the purpose right because i got to know Old Manila beyond the books, i mean those textbooks with luzon-overall authors. I had some museum hoppings too, and part of that is a museum trail - i mean outdoors - that one with Amado V. Hernandez poem across Tondo Church (santo nino de tondo).

Anne said...

Sadly, I think that might take a while Lou. But I will surely fly back for vacation one of these days. :)

Anne said...

If I'm not mistaken she always frequents Sinulog and attends the Cut & Style event for Island Souvenirs. She's also bffs with Cebu blogger Kryz so I believe she'll go there and visits again.

Anne said...

I love the way you described it Ashley! "Foreboding as it is elegant" It sounds like a castle form the medieval ages.

Anne said...

It does and not to mention divine.

Anne said...

Thanks Rachel!

Anne said...

I'm so happy for me too! It was worth all the leg cramps. Haha. Attend ta na kuyog si Janine!

Anne said...

Wow Mam Eleanor! You've surely given me more places to see and visit! I think you should be my tour guide next time. :)

Meg Kernaghan said...

I love reading your blog, especially when I get to see the Philippines because I feel like it's a country with a lot going on and we very rarely get to read about it, and see it in films or anything!
Thanks for sharing!

Anne said...

That is very lovely of you Meg! Thank you! Yes there are a lot of places and experiences in the Philippines. I myself haven't even been to most of them. Come visit!

Bash Harry said...

I haven't been to Manila in like forever, I think the last time I was there was almost ten years ago. I remember it being so beautiful, I wish I could go there again one day. Lovely photos <3

xx Bash | Bash Says Hey | bloglovin'

Anne said...

Wow ten years is a really long time Bash! I'm sure a lot has changed.

LEJA said...

These pictures look so nice and I really like the candles. Hope you had a great time.


LEJA
lejasmoment.blogspot.com

Anne said...

Go! Trust me there are more sights to see in Binondo.

Anne said...

Thank you Leja!

Rea Alducente said...

Good for you Anne! Kalingaw!! To meet your fave blogger/s again is super. I'd be fan-girling all over if I was you. Hahaha

Vernon Joseph Go said...

Your photos are so clear, it's like I'm right there! The design and color of the church exterior isn't the usual one so I was like, that's in the Philippines? Well as they say, It's more fun in the Philippines!

Anne said...

I was fangirling! But I guess I learned the art of keeping your composure because I didn't want to freak my idols out. Haha! Plus, fangirling to the point of fainting will make you lose photo opps. Tsk3.

Anne said...

It went under renovation that's why the colors look so vivid now.

Rainbow-Rose Blossom said...

What a beautiful experience to explore your birth place! This place looks just incredible and so much to see and do! I also really adore the layout and design of your blog! <3

Jeane Louise Mainit said...

I prefer old city charm and culture whenever I travel --- this is what I would always look forward whenever I travel. The photos provided me a glimpse of what Old Manila should be. I mean, hearing the walking tour of Carlos Celdran a few days ago made me want to explore Manila again and brave the pollution out there! :( Even if it will mean allergies, asthma and migraine for me. Truly, Manila holds a natural charm apart from the one we have here as the Queen City of the South.

Anne said...

Thank you so much! Yes getting to know your roots and history is fun and eye opening. :)

Anne said...

If you love Binondo's old city charm I bet you'll like Intramuros even more JL! Oh yes and Carlos Celdran is indeed a sight to behold. The way he tells you about Manila's rich history is captivating. You'll get hooked!

Isabeau Jane Gomez said...

there used to be aleast 4 cebuana bloggers in BU in the previous years. karon c kryz uy nlng

Anne said...

I guess it's also a matter of schedules and work. There are some top bloggers who didn't make it as well this year.

Baby Hizon said...

Though Binondo Church has been reconstructed many times due to natural calamities and only the Bell Tower is what remained of the original 16th century structure, it has retained the classic architecture that makes the place a wondrous sight for the most unforgettable occasion.


One of the oldest church that I want to visit someday. :)

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